William Paul Harper
William Paul Harper
March 4, 1935 — January 26, 2020
William Paul Harper, 84, of Kingsland, Texas, embarked on his eternal adventure on Jan. 26, 2020. He was born on March 4, 1935, to Paul and Mae (Martin) Harper in Eastland, Texas. He spent his early childhood in Llano, Texas and later lived in various places, including Pueblo, Colorado and Jal, New Mexico, as his father followed work.
As a young man, Paul worked in the oil fields. There he learned important skills that would shape his career path. Paul held many positions in the oil, gas and industrial construction industries. His jobs ranged from instrument technician to construction foreman. For many years, Paul coordinated the construction site equipment for Diamond Industries in the Houston area. In the early 80s Paul relocated to Kingsland, he designed and built his family a home from the ground up. He even sawed his own lumber for this home. He opened and operated Paul’s Repair Shop until well into his 70s.
Paul was incredibly skilled at fixing engines, machinery or repairing anything he set his mind to. He could break a machine down to its smallest pieces and put it back together again. With his photographic memory, he had memorized the inside of an engine, which enabled him to problem solve on an expert level. The mechanics at Roland’s would call him when they were stuck on a problem. Paul lived nearby and would walk across the street, contemplate the problem for a moment and tell them how to fix it. Paul didn’t even need to be physically present! He could diagnose and verbally guide anyone through repairs over the phone. His wealth of knowledge of machines and engines equated with that of an experienced engineer – and he only had a tenth grade education.
When he wasn’t working, he was tinkering, inventing, and building numerous types of items on his mill & lathe, such as specialty engine parts & miniature cannons. These cannons were fully functional replicas made of brass. Awe, amazement, and a boatload of pride filled his face when one of his cannons shot a ball across the lake way beyond the distance he anticipated.
Paul, though soft-spoken and solemn, lived an adventuresome life. He enjoyed piloting his plane, cruising the bay in his teakwood cabin cruiser boat, and taking long road trips in his RV with Nancy. They might be gone months at a time. Their adventures took them to Alaska, Canada, Mexico and almost every state in the U.S. He enjoyed watching the beautiful, ever-changing scenery go by and letting Nancy navigate for him. They got lost, occasionally, and had bumps in the road, but they found it only enriched their journey.
Paul considered his family and friends to be life’s greatest treasures. He loved being with his kids and grandkids and experiencing the bustle of excitement that came with them. Family time was an adventure of its own!
Paul will be remembered for his soft-spoken, gentle character, his amazing intellect, and his sweet voice singing to the tune of old country songs. May his gentle, loving spirit continue in his family and bring a special joy to each new adventure.
Paul will be remembered by the love of his life, Nancy of Kingsland, Texas; daughters, Paula Schmidt and husband Eugene “Smitty” of Houston, Texas, Sherry Liscum and husband Jeff of Kingsland, Texas, and Revonda Rhame of Kingsland, Texas; grandchildren, Jennifer Alam and significant other Ruben Rivera, Chris Schmidt and wife Kristi, Miranda Jordan and husband Marshall, Valerie Kennedy and husband Bo, and Stephanie Kneese and husband Lance; great-grandchildren, Colt, Anne, June, Harper, Maverick, Rosalie, Scarlett, and Vance; and special nieces.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mae Harper; sisters, Charlotte, Margie and Verda; brother, Clifton; first wife, Joyce Franklin Harper; daughter, Ladyne Goodner; and grandson, Michael Goodner.
Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 at Kingsland Cemetery, in Kingsland, Texas. An online guestbook and map may be found at PutnamCares.com.
Paul’s care entrusted to Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue, Kingsland, Texas 78639. (325) 388-0008.
